Central Airlines
An Italian scheduled airline operating domestic, leisure and long-haul services, with Rome and Milan as its principal departure points.
About Central Airlines
Air Italy was founded in 2005 as a privately owned Italian airline focused initially on leisure flying and scheduled services. The carrier operated under the Air Italy legal identity, with the IATA code I9 and ICAO code AEY. Its history included corporate links with other Italian aviation businesses and a network shaped by both domestic demand and holiday traffic.
Rome was the airline’s busiest departure hub, followed by Milan, Catania, Naples and Turin. Its network comprised 53 routes serving 18 destinations across 10 countries. Domestic links connected major Italian cities, while international flying concentrated on Mediterranean resorts, Caribbean destinations and leisure markets in East Africa and the Indian Ocean.
The aircraft recorded in Air Italy’s fleet covered several generations and mission types. Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft, Boeing 737s and McDonnell Douglas MD-80s supported shorter routes, while Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 aircraft handled longer services. Cabin layouts and service levels varied by aircraft and route, with premium seating more relevant on long-haul operations.
Air Italy was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld, so passengers could not expect the alliance-wide recognition, lounge access or through-ticketing benefits available with major global groups. No current frequent-flyer programme can be stated confidently for this airline identity, and travellers should verify any loyalty benefits attached to a specific booking or operating partner.
A notable strength was the breadth of the network relative to its size, combining important Italian cities with distinctive leisure destinations such as Havana, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Mauritius and La Romana. The trade-off was operational complexity: a varied fleet and a strong reliance on seasonal holiday demand could produce differences in schedules, aircraft, cabin products and service expectations between routes.
Good to know
Flying with Central Airlines — what to expect
Check the Operator
Confirm the operating carrier and aircraft shown on your booking, particularly where itineraries involve partner airlines or historical Air Italy branding.
Baggage Varies
Cabin and checked-baggage allowances can depend on the fare, route and operating aircraft. Review the conditions printed on the ticket before arriving at the airport.
Mixed Fleet
Aircraft ranged from narrow-body Airbus, Boeing and MD-80 types to wide-body Airbus A330s and Boeing 767s. Seat configuration and onboard amenities therefore varied considerably by service.
Leisure Schedules
Several international routes served holiday markets and could operate seasonally or on limited weekly frequencies. Leave extra flexibility when arranging separate onward tickets.
Hub Connections
Rome and Milan offered the broadest departure choices, while Catania, Naples and Turin were also important stations. Connection options may be more limited outside the largest bases.
Long-Haul Planning
Longer leisure routes require closer attention to meal, seat-selection and baggage inclusions. These services may have different conditions from short domestic flights.
Network overview
Where Central Airlines flies
Central Airlines operates 53 routes to 18 destinations across 10 countries, its longest sector reaching Mauritius to Milan (8,850 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Central Airlines flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Mauritius → Milan
8,850 km · MRU → MXP
The longest sector in the Central Airlines network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Central Airlines
More from Italy
Other airlines based in Italy
FAQ
Central Airlines — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Rome is Central Airlines's primary and busiest departure hub. Milan is its next most important departure point.
- Central Airlines flies to exactly 18 destinations across 10 countries, operating 53 routes.
- Carry-on limits may vary by fare, route and operating aircraft. Passengers should check the dimensions and weight shown in their booking conditions rather than relying on a general airline-wide figure.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts. Originfacts never adds a fee.
- Central Airlines serves Italian cities including Milan, Rome, Catania, Naples, Turin, Verona and Bologna, alongside international leisure destinations such as Havana, Hurghada, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Mauritius and La Romana.
- Central Airlines's longest route is the nonstop service from Mauritius to Milan, covering about 8,850 km.
- The busiest departure cities for Central Airlines are Rome, Milan, Catania, Naples and Turin, in that order by number of routes.
- Fares are generally most competitive outside school holidays and peak summer travel periods. Comparing flexible dates and booking seasonal leisure routes well before departure can improve the available price.